palisade

<font size="-1" face="arial, helvetica"> <p> <strong> <font color="#000066">Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 10, 2021 is:</font> </strong> </p> <p> <strong>palisade</strong> &#149; \pal-uh-SAYD\&nbsp; &#149; <em>noun</em><br /> <p><em>Palisade</em> refers to a fence of stakes used for defense or to a line of steep cliffs.</p> <p>// The iron <em>palisade</em> surrounding the decrepit mansion stood strong.</p> <p>// Kayakers encounter many unique natural structures along the river, including its steep <em>palisades</em>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palisade">See the entry ></a></p> </p> <p> <strong>Examples:</strong><br /> <p>"The fort was built high, with a <em>palisade</em>, or staked fence, which was perhaps as high as 14 feet." — Scott Desmit, <em>The Daily News</em> (New York), 26 Oct. 2021</p> </p> <p> <strong>Did you know?</strong><br /> <p><em>Palisade</em> comes from Latin <em>palus</em>, meaning "stake." The word originally applied to one of a series of stakes set in a row to form an enclosure or fortification. In time, its meaning was extended to a fence of stakes and, by association, to stretches of steep cliffs bordering a river.</p> <br /><br /> </p> </font>